WDNR mussel expert Lisie Kitchel reports that Asian clams have been seen in the Mukwonago River. The River Alliance has an Asian clam factsheet (http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/conservation-projects/ais-fact-sheets)  and has conducted a literature review (http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/images/stories/pdf/lwrb_ais/appendix_d.pdf)  that can be found in the Lower Wisconsin River Basin Strategic Plan. Laura McFarland, Invasive Species Project Coordinator, River Alliance of Wisconsin states,” It Read more about Asian clams discovered in the Mukwonago River[…]

Here is some information on drought effect from Kim D. Coder at the Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia.  It may not be relevant to your situation but very interesting.  From Mark Guthmiller, DNR Forest Health Specialist-Southern Region Oaks:  I am anticipating an increase in dieback and mortality to all species of oaks due to increase in two-lined Read more about Drought effect on trees[…]

Volunteers stalking invasives in an eight county area. Several members of the Friends are doing this roadside spotting and mapping of four invasive plants for the Southeast Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium for the second year. The four plants this year are teasel, japanese knotweed, phragmites, and new this year, wild parsnip. Learn them, watch out for their deleterious Read more about Roadside Invasive Plant Mapping[…]

The beauty of polllination. Louie Schwartzberg is an award-winning cinematographer, director and producer who captures breathtaking images that celebrate life — revealing connections, universal rhythms, patterns and beauty. “Pollination: it’s vital to life on Earth, but largely unseen by the human eye. Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg shows us the intricate world of pollen and pollinators with gorgeous Read more about Amazingly beautiful TED talk[…]

There are invasives that you can help mitigate if you find them on your property. Here are three: Common teasel found on County Highway E, along many state highways and county and town roads. Japanese knotweed very bad if found in waterways. Many homeowners struggle with this plant which becomes hedgelike. Wild parsnip found in the watershed. Very Read more about Invasives in the Mukwonago River watershed[…]

This invader has been found in the Watershed. Emerald Ash Borer identification.

SE Fox River Commission provides canoe routes, some in the Mukwonago River watershed. Try some of these and discover exciting new environs in SE Wisconsin.

Economic Benefits Factsheet EPA’s Healthy Watersheds Initiative is intended to protect the Nation’s remaining healthy watersheds, prevent them from becoming impaired, and accelerate restoration successes. The objective of the federal Clean Water Act is to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” The Healthy Watersheds Initiative includes both assessment and management Read more about Economic Benefits of Healthy Watersheds[…]

Across the upper Midwest, oak forests and savannas are being replaced- by development, agriculture, and by other tree species whose germination does not depend on the fires that once regularly occurred in southern Wisconsin and other states with oak savannas, according to Eric Wood, a researcher and graduate student at the SILVIS lab at the University Read more about Wood Warblers need Oaks[…]

The Friends asked Waukesha County a few years ago to put turtle crossing signs on some areas where we saw tragic turtle demise by interaction with automobiles. They have created great awareness of the threats to turtles as they move to lay their eggs. This week the Friends discovered that someone removed all four (4) Read more about Turtle crossing signs are gone![…]

On June 3, 2012 the Friends is having a Watershed Event to educate all of us about what a watershed is and why you care about the one you live within.  Bring your friends and family to a delicious pancake breakfast at the Lake Beulah Yacht Club, and join our other partners to share your watershed stories, Read more about A Watershed Event and Pancake Breakfast[…]

Sunday,  April 22, 2012. History of Earth Day. The most harmful foods in terms of carbon footprint they leave behind. You might be surprised at them. Earth Day resolutions for you to consider.